Rapids partner with Ciao Telecom for historic jersey partnership

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, May 1, 2014) – The Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and Ciao Telecom (www.ciaotelecom.com) have signed a sponsorship agreement that will feature the global telecommunications company’s logo on the Rapids uniforms through 2018. The Rapids will debut jerseys featuring Ciao in Saturday’s match against the LA Galaxy, which kicks off at 7 p.m. MT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

“Partnering with a global company like Ciao is a massive step forward for our entire organization, one that will be felt by everyone connected to the Rapids, as well as soccer fans throughout the country,” said Tim Hinchey, President of the Colorado Rapids. “Ciao has a broad range of services that we can help them introduce in America, and we’re excited for a long and successful relationship. This truly is a historic moment for our club.”

“This is an incredibly important partnership for Ciao, and we’re honored to become a part of the Rapids and Kroenke Sports family,” said Don Pinkston, President of Ciao North America. “The Rapids are a successful, fast-growing club with local and national relevance and we could not think of a better company and platform to align with as we launch our company in the U.S. As we develop our product line, especially relating to the fan experience at sports venues, the chance to work closely with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is a phenomenal opportunity.”

“All of us at KSE are so very excited to welcome Ciao into our family of sponsors,” said Tom Philand, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “This is a momentous day for the Rapids, and to have an international company such as Ciao come on board and become our very first shirt sponsor speaks to the continued growth and relevance of this franchise. We are proud to be associated with Ciao and we look forward to being such a vital part of their launch strategy within the United States.”

Ciao, partnered with Phoenix-based Global Logistics Solutions LLC, offers products including mobile devices, service plans, IT consulting, internet security, and more, with a goal of creating products and services that enhance the fan experience at sports facilities. Through the partnership with the Rapids, Ciao further aligns with soccer on a global scale, and will increase its presence in the United States through MLS and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

The agreement is the first ever front-of-jersey sponsorship for the Colorado Rapids, with the Ciao logo to be featured on the club’s primary and alternate match jerseys, training and travel gear, as well as in stadium at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The agreement was brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment (www.impressionsports.com). Financial terms of the sponsorship deal were not disclosed.

The Rapids match against the LA Galaxy kicks off at 7 p.m. MT on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, with tickets still available by calling 303-825-GOAL or visiting www.ColoradoRapids.com. Altitude TV will have a live broadcast of the game, with a 30-minute pregame show featuring an interview from Richard Fleming with Hinchey and Pinkston about the new partnership.

About Ciao Telecom

Ciao Telecom, Inc., a technology company with telecommunications roots, was founded in the Silicon Valley in 2011 by Eugenio and Victor Santos together with Francesco Ricciulli. Ciao's mission is to provoke and lead a global disruption of the current static telecom industry to a dynamic model that provides technology solutions for the coming convergence of communications and computing. As a technology company, Ciao wants to innovate the immovable telecom sector. Ciao Telecom operates three business units: Ciao Telecom (Ciao is an NGN global telecom carrier), Ciao Technology (enterprise SaaS, ERP and consulting services), and CiaoZicom (security solutions through a joint-venture with Zicom, the Indian security solutions giant. Headquartered in Dallas, Tex., Ciao also has offices in São Paulo, Brazil, London, Dubai, and Milan, Italy. For more information on the company, please visit www.ciaotelecom.com.

About the Colorado Rapids

Established on October 17, 1995, the Colorado Rapids have achieved success both on and off the field, including the team’s first MLS Cup championship in 2010. A leader in the community, the Rapids participate in many initiatives and causes, raising tens of thousands of dollars annually for Kroenke Sports Charities. The extensive Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club also provides opportunities for children to develop as players and people in a challenging, supportive, and safe environment. Based at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, the Rapids are a part of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, owned and governed by E. Stanley Kroenke. More information on the team is available at www.ColoradoRapids.com.